Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-10-25
TIE MARKET FOR FREAKS.
A Collection of Living Curios in the
Hetropolis-Is 1t Profitable?

A Collection of Living Curios in the
Netropolis-Is 1t Profitable?
The Bowery is a great leveler
The Chinese giant is of no more Importance
than the woman who has not spoken a word
since the day she was weaned. To be sure.
the latter is a good deal Of rarity, but until
the bediamoned and olea yinous dime museum
dealer appears and the freak signs his or her
contract for the next season, all are on an
equality
The managers flock here in droves during
July. They come from Oshkosh, New Jer-
Sey, Buffalo, Boston and other places where
culture sits on a pedestal They are on the
alert for novelties. They want to get them
cheap. The important freaks are engaged
first few staple freaks are engaged for
the season, and lazy boys, fat women, giants,
Brooklyn bridge jumpers the men without
tongue and other stars are signed to appear
at intervals
How are theyl Is it profitable to be
freak?
Fat men and women are paid according TO
their weight. The average pay is about $50
per week. Very heavy men or women get as
high as $50. Beginners receive from so to
Ter. Circassian girls are not profitable. 1t
doesn't really pay TO be a Circassian girl now.
The market is fiat at so to SIS per week
Tattooed men come little higher. They can
he obtained for SIS per week, but the genuine
article readily brings $40 per week
ut don't pay to do tattoo now" said one q
these gentry "a mans got to be way up in
the act or he'll be crowded ont. think I'll
try the india rubber act or the pie eatIn'
racket. L can get $3.50 week for eatin'
twenty pies day. Its great, pard.'
India rubber men come high. They are
not numerous. They are always good draw
ing cards. 1t isn't every one who can be a
rubber man 1t Is hard work, and is a great
strain on the beginner. Still. it is profitable
Experts receive 500 per week Hairy bows
from Burmah are also in demand They re-
celve 800 per week. Men who can eat
glass are not rare NOWADAYS. and ii
really doesn't pay to 90 into the busidess
First class glass eaters get only $50 per week.
It's great strain on man to eat glass.
Sword swallowing is more profitable. A
woman who can eat sword after sword until
she is gorged gets $40 per week ard is in
great contrast to Chicago girls with big feet
\ ears ago such women were rare, but the
bull market in the staple has been fiattened
out and they can be had now for SIP weekly.
The supply of bridge jumpers exceeds the de-
mand and can be had at 81 q day. Fire
eaters are paid $50 weekly. Snake charmers
get as high as 500 The man with the iron
jaw is very numerous. He is quoted at SO
to SIS weekly.
1t may seem strange that dime museums
can pay the salaries quoted above, but when
it is considered that they are open from
morning until night the wonder is not 50
great. Most museums have side show at
tachment in the form of prestidigitateur or
Punch and Judy. The salaries paid maci
clans vary according to their reputation and
ability. Five dollars per day to give dozen
or more performances is considered good
price for museum exhibitions. Three dollars
per day for Punch and Judy show exhibit
ton is about the average salary.-Foster
Coates in Globe Democrat